Monthly Archives: March 2024

Book Review: I am not your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

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I am pretty sure you can guess what this book is about just based on the title, it’s about a Mexican daughter who isn’t perfect. This book didn’t go the way I thought it would go, so here is an overview so no one gets bamboozled like me.

The book starts out at a funeral. Julia’s older sister, Olga, had died. Julia is still in a sort of shock, she’s not upset, just sad. While at the funeral, she sees all this family who never actually knew Olga. It makes her frustrated, but really makes Julia wonder if she knew her sister.

The book continues with Julia going into her sister’s room, but finding something she wasn’t expecting. I’m not going to go into detail because I don’t want to spoil the book, but let’s just say that she found something VERY awkward for any family member to find, let alone a latina girl.

After that, with the help of her best friend, Lorena, and Lorena’s friend, who let’s just say Julia didn’t love, Juanga, Julia digs deeper into her mysterious sister. All the while, she’s being berated and heckled by her mother for not being enough, not being perfect. 

Additionally, there is a super cute side romance between Julia and a boy she meets at a used bookshop. They are just adorable and have a decently healthy relationship.

This book was a pretty good read. I recommend it for teens older 14 or older because some of what the author tackles is more mature. There is also a lot of cursing. I think this book was deeper than you would expect, because it discusses pressure put on children born from immigrant families. I believe that the book would also be more confusing if you don’t speak Spanish or don’t have any experience in Hispanic households. Overall, a good read that can be enhanced by personal experiences.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

What to Visit in New York City!

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I am lucky to have been to a few different cities in my life so far, but New York City is one of my favorites by far. The busy atmosphere, beautiful art, and crazy buildings are just a few aspects that I love. In this article, I will list a few of my personal favorite locations and things I did when I went. Keep reading if you want to learn more!

The very first place that comes to mind is Central Park. This beautiful urban park about 840 acres and is 2,5 miles long. There is plenty of space to explore. While it is nearly impossible to see the entire park in one day, I would recommend going at least a couple times throughout your stay. Of course, some notable areas inside of Central Park include the Bethesda Fountain, Alice in Wonderland statue, and the Strawberry Gardens. These are truly sights to see and are unique to the city.

Another place I would recommend visiting is the Chelsea Market. The neighborhood of Chelsea itself stands out with its high rise buildings, modern architecture, and artsy feel. The Chelsea Market is a wonderful area with various different restaurants and to-go food. It is always super busy, and the food is delicious! I had some great tacos when I went.

Lastly, I would 100% recommend watching a Broadway play or musical in New York. There are many different theatres located around the city, so pick one and watch a play or musical you are interested in! The actors are truly so talented and make the experience unforgettable. I went to go see Wicked and I still cannot get it off my mind.

I hope that these locations and experiences persuade you into visiting New York City! It is very different from Southern California, but it is nice to switch it up every once in a while. Also, it is very important to buy tickets and tours early. New York City is always booked and busy, so it is key to plan ahead. Safe traveling and hope you enjoyed!

Fourth of July Street Faire: An Insider’s Perspective

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This year, Mission Viejo brought back their famous Fourth of July Street Faire, and once again, they went all out for this celebration! Every year, the Mission Viejo Activities Committee (MVAC) gathers people of all ages to enjoy different foods, interest booths, and attractions scattered around Olympiad Road. For easy accessibility, they even provided shuttles available from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to provide transportation for everyone.

There is something for everyone in this event; stretching from Marguerite to Melinda Parkway, this Fourth of July Street was packed with diverse booths and activities. This year, vendors brought many fun items to promote their small businesses, from stylish clothes and accessories to professionally taken photographs. For those looking for extra fun, other booths provided a space to take on fun crafts or play exciting carnival-like games. 

The Youth branch of MVAC hosted a craft booth for kids to make some fun, themed crafts relating to the Fourth of July. As a member of this branch, I helped to provide customizable firework rockets and wooden-starred wands to eager, creative kids looking for an enthusiastic environment. Other than booths, there were multiple food and dessert trucks scattered around the Street Faire grounds. Inclusive food options are a keystone to these events, so this year, these trucks provided delicious, vegetarian food options for everyone to try. At the Fourth of July Street Faire, there is a place for everyone in this community to have fun!

While passing by, I heard varying genres of music coming from three different stages, each spread out across the streets. Seeing artists and bands that originated in Mission Viejo was quite entertaining. The most intriguing aspect of these performances was how each stage had a different slate of music, from calm acoustic melodies to some indie and new wave hits. A new band performed every few hours, so next year, feel free to sit down by the bleachers and catch a show. 

The scenery of the lake is astounding during this event. At around 9:00 p.m., when the sky turned dark and the heat decreased immensely, the famous Fireworks Spectacular began. Bright, vivid colors of red, white, and blue filled the night sky. Everyone was astonished and captivated by the large arrays of red, white, and blue lights. This moment is the most remarkable part of this night; not only does this attraction show the wonders of our city, but it also proves how important community is to the residents of Mission Viejo. Attending next year would be the perfect opportunity to have some summer fun, connect with the community, and celebrate the wonders that our city has to offer. 

A warm thanks to the Mission Viejo Activities Committee for dedicating every year to planning this event. If you want to learn more about this event and the Committee, visit their website for more information.